DARPA’s updated ATLAS robot runs on battery, is even more badass

Those disappointed by the glacial pace of the competitors in last year’s DARPA Robotics Challenge trials will appreciate the newly updated ATLAS robot DARPA debuted today. ATLAS is the generic robot body used by teams that concentrate on software, and therefore has a very strong presence in the competition.

The most obvious change in the ATLAS robot, which was built and now updated by Google-owned Boston Dynamics (which pulled its own robot from the competition), is it now has a shiny white chest plate that makes it look like a cross between a Stormtrooper and the Terminator. But the biggest upgrade is its power now comes from batteries instead of a tethered cable, which will allow it to move more freely in the competition.

According to DARPA:

Atlas will now carry an onboard 3.7-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, with the potential for one hour of “mixed mission” operation that includes walking…